Machine for lasting boots or shoes.



No. 629,476. Patented-July 25 I899.

A. E. STIBCKLER.

MACHINE FDR LASTING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

(Application med Dec. 24, 1597. (No Modal.) 8 Sheets-Sheat I.

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No. 629,476. Patented July 25, I899,

A. E. STIRCKLER.

MACHINE FOB LASTING BOOTS OR SHOES.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 1897.) v(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 629,476. Patented July 25, I899;

A. E. STIRGKLER. MACHINE FOB LASTING BOOTS OR SHOES.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 1897.) (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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N0. 629,476. Patented July 25, 1899. A. E. STIRCKLER.

MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS OB SHOES.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 1897.) Modem 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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No. 629,476. Patented July 25, was. A. E. STIRCKLER. MACHINE F.0R LASTING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

(Applicution filed Dec. 24, 1897.) (No Model.) 8 Sheets$heet 5.

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No. 629,476. Patented July 25, I899.

' A. E. STIRCKLEB.

MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

(Application filed Dec 24. 1897 1 (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

7076. nZ'a r Patented July 25, I899.

A. E. STIRCKLER. MACHINE FOB LASTING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 1901.

8 Shaets8heet 7 (No Model.)

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NO. 629,476. Patented luly 25, I899.

I A. E. STIRCKLER.

MACHINE FOR LASTING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

(Application filed Duo 24. 1897. (No Model) 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

fv znmas D Ian/ch20)"- smelt ALBERT E. sTInoKLE'R, or NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

MACHINE FOR LA-STING BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFIGATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 629,476, dated July 25, 1399.

Application filed December 24, 1897. $erial ll'oi 6633M. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. STIRCKLER, engineer, a citizen of the United States, residing lately at Kettering road, but now at 26 Billing road, in Northampton, in the county of Northampton, England, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Lasting Boots or Shoes, (for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain, No. 422, dated January 7, 1896,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that kind of machines for lasting boots and shoes in which wiper-plates are employed for forcing the upper at the heel and toe portions of the last over the inner sole placed on the sole of the last and the upper-leather at the sides or waist of the last is stretched or wiped over and onto the inner sole at these parts by nipper-wipers.

My invention has for its object to provide a machine of this description which is capable of lasting boots and shoes of any size and shape in one and the same machine, whether for men, women, or children and of any material, with the proper draft and without danger of abrading the upper.

The importance of good lasting is, next to the quality of the leather used, the most important item in the manufacture of boots and shoes, and having regard to the appearance and wear of the articles in question second to none. Good lastingis of vital consequence.

Before proceeding further it would, perhaps, simplify matters somewhat if a brief definition of the term lasting were given in the sense that it is proposed using it unless stated to the contrary. Lasting, then, denotes the operation of drawing an upper (into which a stiffener, toe-puff, and side linings have been inserted) over a last, removing the stretch by pullingin proper directions, so as to give draft, and, lastly, the complete attachment of the upper to the inner sole, which attachment may be temporary or permanent. In the ordinary method of hand-lasting there is no preparation of either the upper or bottom stuff by the manufacturer, the handlasterattending to the tying up of the uppers, the skiving of the toes, rounding and feathering of the innersoles, and skiving of stiffeners, toe-puffs, and sidelinings and theirinsertion cap and seams is correct the upper is pulled up at-the back and tacked down in the center of the heel-seat. The sides of the heelseat are next pulled up and tacked down and this, with the drawing up and over of the upper and tacking it to the inner sole at the joints, completes the operation known as drafting. When finishinglasting,the laster has to exercise great skill and carein taking out the stretch of the upper between the drafting-tacks in order to pull it with an equal strain, according to the quality and elasticity of the leather in the upper. During this portion of the operation it frequently becomes necessary to remove the drafting tacks. When all the necessary stretch has been taken out of the upper and it has been fastened to the inner sole, (the lines of the boot being correct,) the operation of lasting proper is complete.

I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, 'of which- Figure 1 is a front elevation, Fig. 2 a plan, and Fig. 3 an end elevation of a machine constructed according to my invention, Fig. 3 being shown on a slightly-larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a plan of the toe head or clamp with the top plate removed,the parts being in their normal position. Fig. at is a similar view showing the parts in operative position. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same,the section being taken along the line5 5,Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is atransverse section on the line 6 6, Fig. 4.. Fig. 7represents in elevation an arrangement of ball-and-socket or articulated support for the clamps or heads toadmit of the said clamps or heads inclining or being inclined in any required direction. Figs. 8 and 9 represent in elevation and plan, respectively, an arrangement for adjusting the distance apart of the side nipper-wipers by the movement of the heads or clamps or one of the headsor clamps when clamping the ion last in the machine. Figs. and 11 are ele- -vations at right angles to each other of a modified arrangementof the blocks which carry the side nipper-wipers, and Fig. 12 shows an arrangement for forcing the side nipper wipers over toward the center of the last. Figs. 13, 14, and 15 represent in side elevation, plan, and front view the mechanism for raising the toe head or clamp, whereby the toe end of upper is stretched to give it the proper draft before the wiper-plates are caused to operate to wipe the edge of the upper onto the inner sole.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A A represent, respectively, the toe and heel clamps or heads between which the last with the upper thereon is held while the upper is being lasted. As the heel clamp or head is mainly similar in construction to the toe clamp or head, a description of the latter will be sufficient to describe the former, the parts which correspond in both heads or clamps being indicated by the same references, while the parts which differ in the two clamps are indicated by special references. The clamp Ais hinged at l to a block 2, carried on the upper ends of rods 1*, which are surrounded by springs 3, which tend to retain the forward end of the head or clamp in its normal position. The block 2, is shown as being fitted to slide in guides 4 on a plate 5, which plate, together with the head or clamp, is capable of sliding horizontally in guides 6, Fig. 2, on a table orsupport 7. The table or support 7 has projecting from its under side a hollow stem or shank 8, arranged to slide vertically in a cylinder 9, formed in one with or attached to the main table 10 of the machine. Fitted to turn,without moving longitudinally, in a boss on the bottom of the cylinder is a screw 11, engaging in an internally-screwed boss 12 on the bottom of the stem or shank 8, so that by turning the screw 11 by meausot' a handle or hand-wheel 1b the table or support 7 and the parts carried thereby can be raised or lowered as required tosuit lasts of different sprii'igand so that the wiper-plates will operate in practically a horizontal plane. 8 is prevented from turning in the cylinder9 by a key or spline l4 entering a groove or keyway in the stem 8, means being provided to permit of the stem turning to a slight extent in the cylinder 9. The clamps A and A are adjustable longitudinally on the tables or supports 7 by screws 15, carried in lugs or bosses 16 on the said tables, so as to turn therein without moving longitudinally. Each screw 15 works in a nut 17, carriedby the plate 5, which supports the head orclamp, so that by turning the screw 15 by means of a handle or hand-wheel 17* the head or clamp can be moved inward or outward, as required, according to the length of the last or the drafting-points of the mechanism hereinafter described for wiping the upper over the sides of the last. 011 the screw 15 is a collar 12:,

between which and the lug or boss 16, in which the screw turns, is a spring 19, which admits The stem or shank of the head yielding slightly in a longitudinal direction by the pressure of the last when being clamped in position and on being removed from the machine, and so prevent the upper from being abraded. The head or clamp can be caused to incline to any desired angle in a longitudinal direction to suit the dip of the last by means of screws 20, WOIlG ing in screw-threads at the rear end of the head, the ends of the screws bearingon springbuifers 21, which can yield during the operation of lasting and which are free to move on the plate 5 as the angle of the head is being adjusted. The heel clamp or head instead of being hinged to a vertically-sliding block, as described with reference to the toe clamp or head A, is shown as being hinged at 22 to a plate 23, which is hinged at 24 to lugs on the plate 5, so that in addition to its capability of being inclined in a longitudinal direction on the hinge 24 it is also capable of inclining in a lateral direction on the hinge 22 to suit the lateral inclination of the heel of the last. The inner end of the heel head or clamp bears on springs 3 carried by lugs 25 on the plate 5. The screws 20 for adjusting the longitudinal inclination of the heel head or clamp work in screwed lugs 26 on the rear end of the plate Instead of hinging the heads or clamps to their supports, as hereinbefore described, either or each head orclamp may be connected to the plate or support 5 by a ball-and socket or articulated joint 27, shown in Fig. 7. The stem 29, carrying one part of the articulated joint 27, passes through an opening in the plate 5, a spring 31 being interposed between the plate 5 and the joint 27, tending to force the head upward. The stem 29 is screw-threaded to receive a nut 30, by means of which the height to which the head is permitted to rise may be regulated as required. The sprin 29 normally maintains the head at the height to which it is adjusted, but admits of the head yielding and inclining to any required angle to suit the shape of the last.

The wiper-plates for forcing the upper over the toe and heel ends of the last are carried in the heads or clamps A A the wiperplates in each head or clamp being arranged, as shown, in the toe head or clamp, Figs. 4, P, 5, and 6, to turn as a hiugeon an axis or imaginary pivot 32*, the said axis or imaginary pivot being a point in a straight line pass ing longitudinally through the center of the heads A A The wiper-plates of each pair are capable of turningindividually in opposite directions on the axis or imaginary pivot 32 and also of turning both together on the said axis or imaginary pivot to the right or to the left to adjust themselves to the shape of the boot to be lasted whether it be a right or a left. The turning action of the wiper-plates about the imaginary pivot or axis is in the plane of the swing of the plates that is, the plane in Which'the plates move when wiping an upper onto a last. The

IIO

wiper-plates are shown as being fastened by screws 33 to carrier-plates 33, so that wiperplates of different shapes may be fitted to the machine; but the wiper -plates may, if desired, be each formed in one piece of the reagainst the rear ends of the.Wiper-plate car rier 33. The plate 36 is pivoted at 37 to a plate 38, fitted toslide longitudinally between guiding ribs or raised edges 39 on a plate 40,

which is also capable of sliding longituinally,

in the head or clamp. The plate 40 is connected by links 40 to arms or levers 46, pivoted to the rear end of a longitudinally-movable bar 41, the opposite or forward end of which bar is carried on the pivot 37 to which the plates 36 and 33 are connected and on which is also pivoted the operating-lever 44. (Shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4.) I

The outer edges 47 of the wiper-plate carriers 33 are arcs of a circle struck from the axis or imaginary pivot 32 on which the wiper-plates turn, and the said edges bear against corresponding concave surfaces 39 in the raised edges or ribs 39 on the plate 40. The operating-lever 44 is pivoted at 44 to the head or clamp, and when the lever is in its normal position (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4) the wiperplates are separated or opened out practically to their full extent and the plates 36, 38, and 40 are in-their rearmost position. When a last with the upper to be lasted thereon is placed in position in the machine, the pressure of the toe of the last, according to whether it be a right or a left, will by pressing against the front edges of the wiper-plates cause them to turn both together on the axisor imaginary pivot 32 either to the right or to the left, as the case may be, and cause the plate 36 to turn on the pivot 37 the projections 37 on the said plate 36 being maintained in contact with the wiperplate carriers 33 in whichever direction the plate is turned. 38 are springs which normally retain the plate in position parallel to the plate 38. against the rib or raised guiding edge 39 and are curved to admit of the plate turning on the pivot 37 as described, the bars 34 being free to slide in the plate 36 to the required extent to admit of the pivoting movement of the said plate, as described. hen the last with the upperto be lasted thereon is clamped in position between the heads or clamps A A the lever 44 is moved in thedirection of the arrow in Fig. 4, thereby moving forward the plates 36 and 38 and by the projections 37 on the forward edge of the plate 36 pressing on the rear edges of the wiper-plate carriers 33 causing the wiper-plates 32 to turn on the axis or imaginary pivot 32 and bring their operating edges toward each other. By

The ends of the plate 36 bear the same movement of the lever 44 the plate 40, through the bar 41, connecting-arms 46, and links 40 is caused to slide forward and force the wiper-plates longitudinally over the toe of the last. Thus the said wiper-plates receive simultaneously a longitudinal forward movement'and a movement on the axis or imaginary pivot 32, whereby the upstanding edge of the upper at the toe end of the last is efficiently wiped over onto the sole of the last. By returning the lever 44 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 the several parts will be moved to their normal position ready for the next operation. The

forward movement of the wiper-plates can be] regulated as required by means of a spindle 0., provided with right and left hand screwthreads, as shown in Fig. 6,-working in nuts I) b, to whichare pivoted blocks 0 c, fitted to slide in slots or openings cl d in the arms 46, to which the plate 40 is connected. The blocks 0 c constitute the fulcra on which the arms pivot, so that by turning the screw-spindle (t in one direction or the other the blocks will be caused to slide in the slots or openings nearer to or farther from the point of connection of the said arms with the longitudinally-sliding bar 41, and consequently increase or decrease the extent of movement of the plate 40, according to the direction in which the screw-spindle a is turned. Projecting from the forward end of the clamp or head A, beneath the wiper-plates 32, is a pad 61, which is caused to bear against the toe end of the upper on the last with a yielding pressure, so as to assist in stretching the upper at the extreme end of the toe of the last when the head is being raised, as hereinafter described. The said pad is removably fitted to a holder d to admit of padsof different shape being used, as required, which holder is screwed onto one end of a rod (1 which is capable of sliding longitudinallyin an'opening provided for it in the head or clamp and is surrounded by a helical spring d one end of which bears against a shoulder 01 in the hole, the opposite end of the said spring hearing against a shoulder d formed on the said rod, so that when pressure is exerted on the pad 61' the said pad and rod (1 will yield and compress the spring (1", so as to cause the pad to press against the last with the required pressure. The outer rear end of the rod (:1 is screw-th readed, as shown at d to receive nuts (Z by screwing which nuts along the screwthread d the spring d can be compressed more or less and so regulate the pressure of the pad upon the toe of the last. Thedistance to which the pad is made to project from beneath the wiper-plates may be regulated,without altering the power of the spring, by screwing the rod 61 more or less into the piece'd which carries the pad. The pad (1 is formed with a tapered projection at its rear side which fits into a corresponding recess formed in the holder (1 so that the said pad can be readily removed and replaced b'ya pad 'of different shape to suit the shape of the last of the machine. Near 0116 end of the lever 66 placed in the machine. The pivoted pads e, which bear on the upper at the sides of the toe end of the last for smoothing the leather at these parts, are mounted on sliding pieces a, capable of being adjusted in position to suit boot-toes of different widths by means of nuts 6 screwed onto screwed extensions 6 of the sliding pieces and which normally bear against the sides of the head A. Springs 6 are arranged to bear on the nuts, so as to force the pads with the requisite pressure against the last and so that the power of the springs will remain the same to whatever position the sliding pieces 6 are adjusted. The springs e are secured to the sides of the head A by screws 6 passing through slots in the springs and screwing into the sides of the head, so that by screwing these screws more or less into the holes in the head the power of the said springs may be regulated as required.

f, Fig. 6, is a spring for imparting to the lever 44 sufficient friction to retain it in the position to which it has been moved, the said springs being interposed between a nutf and washerf on a stud f fixed to the lever 44, and adapted to slide in a slot-f in the top plate of the head or clamp.

The drafting nipper-wipers for pulling the upper over onto the sole at the sides of the last for proper drafting-points are arranged in sets of three on each side of the last. Each nipper-wiper 49 is pivoted to a bar 50, slidable toward and from the longitudinal center line of the last in ablock 51, pivoted on a horizontal axis52 to a block 53, so as to permit of the nipper-wipers being raised and lowered.- Thetwo side blocks 53 of each set of three can be adjusted nearer to or farther from the center block by a rod or spindle 54, having right and left handed screw-threads fitting corresponding nuts carried by the two outer blocks 53, so that by turning the spindle 54 in one direction or the other the two outer blocks may be accordingly drawn nearer to or'separated farther from the central block to suit the drafting-points of the last placed in the machine. The blocks 51 of each set of nipper-wipers are connected at their forward ends by rods 55 to levers 56, carried by a plate 57, fitted to slide vertically up and down in guides 58 in the frame or standard 59 of the machine. The two plates 57 on opposite sides of the machine are connected together by a yoke 60, to which is attached, by a rod 61, a treadle 62. By depressing the treadle 62 the plates 57 are forced upward in their guides 58, and through the levers 56 and connectingrods 55 the forward ends of the blocks 51 are elevated, together with the nipper-wipers 49. The bars 50 of each set of nipper-wipers are connected bya rod.63 to levers 63,pivoted,

to the upper end of a lever 64, centered at 65 to the frame of the machine, the lower end of, the said lever 64 being connected at 66 by a pin-and-slot connection to a rod or bar 67 ,fitted to slide horizontally in guides 68 in the frame is pivoted a shorter lever 63 The center nipper-wiper of each set of nipper-wipers is connected to theinner end of the upper and shorter lever 63 and one of the outside nipper-wipers is connected to the outer end of the said short leve'r',while the other outside nipperwiper is connected to the free end of the lower and longer lever 63. The point where the lever 63 is pivoted to the lever 03 is situated at a distance from the point where the said lever 63 is connected .to the lever 64 equal to about one-half the distance between the latter point and where the outside nipper-wiper is com neeted to the free end of the lever 63, and a similar arrangement is provided with refer ence to the levers 56, to which the blocks 51 are connected. By this arrangement of the connections the best drafting-points are obtained for producing the proper draft on the upper at the sides of the last. Thetwo rods or bars 67 are arranged in line one with the other and each carries at its inner end a roller 69, on which a rotary wedge 70 acts to separate the rods. The wedge 70 is mounted on ashaft 71, carried in bearings 71 in the frame of the machine, and is provided with a hand-wheel 72, by which to rotate the shaft and wedge. The wedge is situated between the inner ends of the two rods or bars 67, so that when it is rotated it operates on both rods 67 at the same time to separate or move them farther apart and so through the levers 64 and the two sets of levers 63 63 on the opposite sides of the machine force the nipper -wipers 49 toward the longitudinal center line of the last. The wedge 70 is free to slidelongitudinallyon the shaft 71, so as to admitof one set of nipperwipers on one side of the last moving onward when the other set of nipper-wipers on the opposite. side of the last comes to rest or cannot advance farther, thesets of nipper-wipers on both sides of the last being thus operated by a single rotary wedge. Fast on the shaft 71 is a ratchet-wheel 72?, with which a detent 73 engages to retain the shaft and wedge in the position to yvhich it is turned, and consequently retain the nipper-wipers in the position to which they are moved by the rotation of the wedge. The detent 73 is pivoted to a lug 74 on the bearing 71*, in which the shaft 71 rotates. The detent 73 is provided with a tailpiece 75, which tends to normally main.- tain the detent in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 72*. To permit of the parts bein g return ed to their normal positions, the detent 73 must be first disengaged from the ratchet-wheel 72*, and this is effected by the movement of a lever76, fast on a rock shaft 77, mounted inbearings in the lower part of the frame of the machine. The lever 76 carries a projection 78, which when the lever is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1 presses against the tailpiece 75 of the detent 7 3, so as to disengage the detent from the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 72 and admit of the shaft 71 and wedge 70 being rotated in the reverse direcits tion to restore the parts to theirnormal position. The rods orbars 67 are returned inward to their normal position by grooves 7 0 in the boss of the wedge 70 engaging with prolongations of the pins on which the rollers 69 turn, and the levers 64, and with them the nipper-wipers, are returned to their normal positions by springs 64 When the lever 76 is moved outward, so as to remove the projection from the tailpiece 75, the detent 73 is free to engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, so that when'the shaft is rotated in the direction to cause the nipper-Wipers to advance over the sole of the last the detent will click into the teeth of the wheel as it rotates and prevent it from moving back until released by the projection 78 on the lever 76, as hereinbefore described. The rock-shaft 77, on which the lever 76 is mounted, has ail arm 79, on which bears the lower end of a rod 80, the upper end of which rod is connected to one end of a bar 81, on which the heel-rest 82 and toe-rest 89 can slide with the movements of the head or clamps A and A Bythe movement of the lever 76 in the direction indicated by an arrow in Fig. 1 the rock-shaft 77 is turned in its bearings, and the arm 79 raises the bar 81, with the heel-support, to the desired height. The lever is retained in the position to which it is moved, and consequently the heel-support 82 retained in the raised position, by a detent 83, carried by the lever 76, engaging with a rack 84:, pivoted at 85 to the frame of the machine, the said rack being supported by and passing through a piece 86, swiveled to the lever 76, to which swiveled piece the detent 83 is pivoted. The detent 83 is disengaged from the rack 84 (to admit of the parts being returned to their normal position) by a spring-handle 87 and rod 88, carried on the lever 76. The rest 89 for the toe end of the lastis supported on the bar 81, along which it can slide to follow the longitudinal movements of the toe head or clamp A. The end of the bar 81, on which the toe-rest is mounted, is connected to a rod 90, supported on a spring 91, which can be compressed more or less to alter its power by screwing the nut 91 down the rod 90, and the height of the bar 81 can be adjusted by a nut Ql screwed onto the lower end of the rod 90, so that the toe-rest can be caused to press against the upper on the last with the desired yielding pressure.

The toe-rest 89 is carried on the upper end of a rod89 the lower end of which enters a socket or sleeve 89 slidable on the bar 81, and on the rod 89 is ascrfew-thread, on which is screwed a nut-wheel which bears upon the sleeve 89 so that by turning the nutwheel the height of the-.toe-rest can be adjusted as required.

When the last, with the upper to be lasted thereon, is placed in position and clamped'between the heads or clamps A A the edge of the upper at the toe end of the last is secured between the upper surface of the wiper-plates proper forward draft.

in the head A and a toe-plate or gripping-jaw g, Figs. 13, 14, and 15, carried on the lower end ofa screw-threaded hollow rod 71, carried on a lever t, pivoted to lugs k on the top plate l of the head A. On the screwed hollow rod h is a nut m, situated between arms on the lever 2', so as to prevent it rising on the screwed rod, but which can be turned so as to raise and lower the rod as desired. The nipping-jaw g is pressed onto the edge of the upper, which is laid onto the wiper-plates by means of an inclined projection on a lever it, forced between the rear end of the leverz'and the top plate Z of the head A. To the upper end of therhollow rod 71 is pivoted a cam-lever 1'), by turning which in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13 the cam 19' thereon is caused to bear upon the upper end of a rod q, fitted to slide in the hollow rod h and cause a button 0" on the lower end of the rod q to bear on the inner sole placed on the last and by a continued movement of the lever p in the same direction the head A, which, together with the jaw g, constitutes a powerful gripping device, will be raised in opposition to the power of the springs 3, which tend to retain the head in its lowered position. The upper-leather at the toe end of the last is thus pulled by the upward movement of the head toward the extreme toe end of the last until'the wiper-plates 32 are above the sole of the last, thereby giving to the upper the While the upper is being stretched by the rising of the head, the buffer d assists in stretching and smoothing the leather at the extreme toe end of the last,

while the swiveled smoothing-blocks c, Fig.

4, arranged to bear against the sides of the toe of the last, assist in smoothing the upper on both sides of the toe. While the head is in its raised position, the wiper-plates 32 are operated as hereinbefore described, whereby the upper is further stretched and the portion held above the last by the gripping device is wiped over onto the inner sole, to which it is secured in the usual manner. toe-plate or nipping-jaw gis fitted in arecess g in a block h, carried on the lower end of the rod h, and can he slid therein, so that plates of different shapes and sizes can be readily substituted one for another as required. In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 for adjusting the distance apart of the side nipper-wipers by the movement of the heads when clampinga last inthe machine the blocks 53 are each capable of turningwhich the studs 96 pass, being of sufficient length to admit of the maximum movement required to be given to the wedge. The rollers are maintained in contact with this wedge by a spring 95*, interposed between the outerends ofthe said two outside blocks. The

The

wedge 97 is connected by a slot-and-pin connection 98 to one end of a lever 99, the opposite end of which lever is pivoted at 99* to the table 6, on which the head or clamp A or A? slides. The lever 99 has in it an inclined slot 100, on which slides a roller or stud 101, carried in a bracket 102 on the plate 5, to which the head or clamp is hinged. When the head or clamp is in its extreme outward position, the stud or roller 101 is at the lower end of the inclined slot 100 in the lever 99, and the wedge 97 is raised to its highest position, the nipperwipers carried on the blocks 53 being thereby separated by the wedge to their greatest extent. On moving the head or clamp forward to clamp the last in position in the machine the roller 101 slides in the slot 100, thereby depressing the lever 99 and lowering the wedge 97, and thus allow the nipper-wipers under the expansive action of the spring 95* to approach nearer together, according to the extent of inward movement of the head or clamp, and which will be governed by the length of the last to be clamped in position.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 the blocks 51 and 53, which carry the side nipper-wipers, are hinged together at 52, as in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and the block 53 is hinged to another block 53* at 52*, the hinges 52 and 52* being horizontal, but at right angles to one another, the block 53* being capable of inclining more or less on the hinge 52*, so as to separate the nipper-wipers to suit lasts of diiferent lengths. 103 is an adjustable stop to regulate the extent to which the block 53* is permitted to incline. The blocks 53* may each be capable of turning on a vertical pivot, if desired.

Instead of the rotating wedge hereinbefore described, and shown in Fig. 1, a wedge 70, as shown at Fig. 12, may be employed for operating the mechanism by which the side nipper-wipers are forced over toward the center of the sole of the last. The wedge 70 is carried in a frame 104, capable of sliding vertically in guides 105 in the frame of the machine and connected by a rod 106 to a treadle or other suitable device for sliding the frame 104 up and down. The wedge acts in the same manner on the rollers 69, carried on the ends of the bars 67, as described with reference to the rotary wedge, the wedge being free to slide in or on the frame 10% to admit of the nipper-wipers on one side of the last being moved after the nipper-wipers on the other side of the last come to rest.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is- 1. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, the combination of adjustable heel and toe clamps with devices yieldingly holding one of said clamps against vertical and horizontal movement, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, heads or clamps between which the last is held while the upper is being lasted, one of the said heads or clamps being universally adjustable to admit of the head inclining in any direction, and a longitudinal sliding plate in combination with a screw-threaded stem projecting from one member of the articulated joint, and passing through an opening in the longitudinally-sliding plate on which the head is mounted, a nut screwed onto the screwed stem beneath the slidable plate, and a spring interposed between the slidable plate and the articulated joint, to normally maintain the head at the height to which it is adjusted by the nut, but which spring will admit of the head yielding in a vertical direction substantially as hereinbefore described. 3. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, a head o r clamp combined with automatically-adjustable wiper-plates for forcing the' upper over onto the inner sole at the end of the last, the adjustment being in the plane of the swing of the plates and about an imaginary pivot at the extreme end of the last, whereby the wipers automatically conform to the shape of a right or left last, substantially as described.

4. In a lasting-machine, a clamp or head combined with automatically adjustable wiper-plates mounted in said clamp or head to turn in the act of adjustment relatively to said clamp in the plane of their swing about a point on the perimeter of the last when the latter is adjusted in the clamp, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes, the combination of adjustable heel and toe clamps provided with devices yieldingly holding said clamps against vertical and horizontal movement, with automatically-adjustable wiper-plates carried by said heel and toe clamps, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for lasting boots and shoes the combination with heads between which the last is held while the upper thereon is being lasted and wiper-plates by which the up per is laid over onto the toe and heel ends of the last, of a plate 40 on one of said heads or clamps fitted to slide longitudinally in the head or clamp, a plate 38, slidabl-e on the plate 40, a plate 36 pivoted to the plate 38 and provided with projections 37 which bearon the rear edges of the wiper-supports, springs for normally retaining the plate 36 parallel to the plate 38, bars 34 carried in slot-s or grooves in the plate 36 and provided with studs engaging in slots 33 in the wiper-plates, a plate or bar 41 pivotally connected to the plates 36 and 38 and arranged to slide longitudinally in the head or clam p, arms or levers 46 each connected at one end to the plate or bar 41 links 40 connectin the arms or levers to the plate 40, and an operating-lever, fulcrutned to the head and connected to the pivot on which the plate 36 turns so that by vthe movement of this lever in one direction the wiper-plates will be caused to move forward and also turn on their axis or imaginary pivot 32 to wipe the upstanding edge of the upper over onto the last, and by the movement of the lever in the opposite direction the wiper-plates and parts connected therewith will be returned to their normal position, substantially as hereinbefore described.

7. The combination with the wiper-plates and an operating lever or device suitably connected thereto, of means con trolling the throw of the wiper-plates in the act of wiping, consisting of a pair of toggle-levers, fulcra for said levers adjustable toward and from each other, and connections between said togglelevers and thewiper-plates, substantially as described.

8. In a lasting-m achine, the combination of wiper-plates, a longitudinally-sliding support therefor, means for sliding said support to and fro, a pair of toggle-levers, fulcra for said levers adjustable toward and from each other and links connecting said toggle-levers with said sliding support, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the wiper-plates and means for operating them as described, the arms or levers 46 provided with slots, pivoted blocks fitted to slide in the said slots and means for adjusting the position of the pivoted blocks in the slots and connections between the arms orlevers and the wiper-plate operating means whereby the movement of the wiperplates is varied, substantially as hereinbefore described.

10. In a machine of the kind hereinbefore referred to,.for lasting boots and shoes, the

combination with the toe head or clamp, of a yielding pad arranged beneath the wiperplates to press against the toe end of the last; a screwedspindle onto which the pad is screwed; a spring arranged to act on the screwed spindle to force the pad forward against the last; nuts screwed onto the screwed spindle for altering the power of the spring, and means for turning the screwed spindle in the pad so as to cause the said pad to project more or less as required from beneath the wiper-plates without altering the powerof the spring, substantially as hereinbefore described.

11. In a machine forlastingboots and shoes, the combination with nipper-wipers, of levers operatively connected to said wipers, oppositely-extending bars connected to said levers, and a wedge capable of movement between the adjacent ends of said bars, substantially as described.

12. In a machine forlasting boots and shoes, the combination with nipper-wipers for forcing the upper over onto the sole at the sides of the last of sets of levers connected to the nipper-wipers on both sides of the last, pivoted levers connected at their upper ends to the setsof levers; horizontal sliding bars or rods engaged with .the lower ends of the pivoted levers, a wedge situated between the adjacent ends of the horizontal rods or bars; a vertically-sliding framecarrying the wedge and in which the wedge is free toslide in a hor1zontal direction and means for raising the frame and wedge for the purpose of forcing the nippenwipers on each side of the last toward the center of the last, substantially as hereinbefore described.

13. In a machine for lasting boots and'shoes the combination with nipper-wipers forforcing the upper over the edges onto the sole at the draft-point of the sides of the last; of blocks on which the nipper-wipers are carried, the said blocks being each mounted on a vertical pivot so as to be free to turn in a' horizontal plane, springs for retaining the blocks in their normal position; wedges and means for operating them so as to cause them to act on the blocks to alter the distance apart of the nipper-wipers, to suit the drafting-points of the last, substantially as hereinbefore described.

14. In machines for-lasting boots and shoes the combination with nipper-wipers for forcing the upper over the edges onto the sole at the sides of the last of compound blocks or supports, on which the nipper wipers are mounted, each block or support being made in three parts hinged together one above another, the lower part being pivoted on a vertical axis so as to admit of the block turning in a horizontal plane; the next part above being hinged to the lower part so as to be capable of inclining sidewise, and the upper part on which the nipper-wiper slides being connected to the part below by a horizontal hinge, so as to permit of the said parts turning in a vertical plane; and adjustable stops for g0verning the degree of the sidewise inclination of the blocks; substantially-as hereinbefore described.

15. In a machine of the kind hereinbefore described for lasting boots and shoes the combination with the toe head or clamp, of means for securelygripping between the upper surface of the wiper-plates and a gripping-jaw carried by the head or clamp the edge of the upper at the toe end of the last, means for holding the last practically immovable in the machine and means for raising the head or clamp so as to draw the upper over the toe end of the last in the direction to give to the leather the proper draft, substantially as hereinbefore described.

16. .In a machine of the kind hereinbefore described for lasting boots and shoes, the combination with the toe head or clamp movable in a vertical direction of springs for normally holding the said heador clamp in its lower position; a lever pivoted to the head or clamp; a hollow rod carried ad justably in one 'end of. the lever; a toe plate or jaw carried hollow rod and provided with a cam-surface l and means foropcrating the gripper-jaws and which can be caused to act on the upper end i thereby raising the head, whereby interof the sliding rod s0 as to force it outward l changeable gripper-jaws maybe employed, from the lower end of the hollow rod into coni substantially as described. tact with the sole of the last and raise the I In testimony whereof I have signed my head so as to pull the upper upward into po- 5 name to this specification in the presence of sitiou for the Wiper-plates to force the upper two subscribing witnesses. over onto the toe end of the sole of the last, 5 r 1 substantially as hereinbefore described. S FIRCKLEI 17. In alasting-machine the combination of l a head or clamp bearing wiper-plates with a l gripper-jaw removably attached to the head,

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FREDERICK UPTON, RICHARD BUNDY. 

